"Oh, Mr. Evans! My poor Adam, my husband!" wailed Margaret, as she saw the face of the old workman, and not waiting to hear what news he had brought. "To think he should be taken from me in such a way, and him so good and kind. There's so many that are no use to anybody, and that nobody would want, though they might miss them for their very badness, and because they made their families miserable. What shall I do? What shall I do?"
Tears streamed down Margaret's face, and all her independent, self-reliant manner was gone. She could only clasp her hands in an agony of combined remorse and sorrow, as she wailed out her regrets and complaints in turn.
"You've heard of the accident then," said Richard. "Ill news flies fast indeed, for I thought I'd lost no time in coming. Mr. Drummond was so anxious you shouldn't hear in a sudden way."
"My little Tom heard about it, and ran home as fast as his feet would carry him. Poor thing! He knew no better than to speak out. How should he? Where is my poor Adam? Where have they taken him to? I must go and bring him home."
"I'm grieved for you," began Richard, "but words bring poor comfort. There's only One that can wipe away tears and give the oil of joy for mourning. May He comfort and strengthen you. But you must have a bit of patience, Margaret. You shall see him as soon as it's wise for you to go."
"Where have they taken my husband?" persisted Margaret.
"To the hospital. Mr. Drummond went with him. He would trust nobody to see after him on the road but himself. You shall go to him, I tell you, as soon as possible."
"Seeing him won't bring him to life," cried Margaret. "And oh, dear, dear, I let him go out this morning without answering him, or giving him so much as a look when he said, 'Good-bye, dear lass.'"
"Well, you must make that right when you see him. Adam isn't the one to bear malice. He'll forget and forgive. He's badly hurt. Arm broken in two places, beside cuts and bruises, but he'll get well in time, no fear."
"Get well!" cried Margaret, hardly believing that her ears were telling the truth. "Why, some one told my little Tom that his father was killed, and ever so many more men beside him."